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Studio Technologies StudioComm 76D/77 All-Digital 5.1 Surround Monitoring System

Product Code: ST-M76D AND M77

Key Features

As creating and distributing multi-channel surround (5.1) and stereo audio material has become a day-to-day reality, the ability to simply and effectively monitor these sources is imperative for recording, post-production, and broadcast facilities. And with audio-with-picture applications becoming so prevalent, additional monitoring challenges have arisen. Studio Technologies has addressed these needs with the StudioComm for Surround Model 76D Central Controller and the Model 77 and Model 71 Control Consoles. With digital audio inputs, digital monitor outputs, support for multiple user control surfaces, and an extensive set of operating resources it's a simple task to integrate a monitoring system into virtually any facility. The carefully selected group of features, including surround and stereo inputs, configurable input-signal time delay, multiple pre- and post-fader outputs, configurable downmix and mute/solo functions, and bass management, along with a multi-format sync input,

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  • Features
  • Overview
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Studio Technologies StudioComm Model 76D and 77 All-Digital 5.1 Surround Monitoring System

A StudioComm for Surround system starts with the Model 77 Control Console. It's the system's "command centre" and is designed to reside at an operator's location, allowing fingertip selection of all monitoring functions. Numerous LED indicators provide complete status information. A 4-digit numeric display indicates the post-fader monitor output level in real time. A major strength of the Model 77 is its ability to configure, under software control, many important operating parametres. Intended for secondary monitoring locations, the Model 71 Control Console is a compact user control surface. It provides three of the most basic functions: a rotary level control, dim on/off button, and reference level on/off button.

While many installations will use only one Model 77 Control Console, up to three additional Model 77 or Model 71 Control Consoles can also be connected. This provides multiple users with full control over a facility's monitor system. And to make installation simple, the Model 76D provides power for all connected Model 77 or Model 71 units.

The core of this StudioComm for Surround system is the Model 76D Central Controller. The one-rack-space unit contains circuitry that supports digital audio inputs, digital monitor outputs, processing, and the user interface. The Model 76D provides two surround (5.1) and three stereo digital audio inputs. These unbalanced digital inputs are AES3-compliant; sources of this type are ubiquitous in most post-production and broadcast environments. The inputs allow a sample rate of up to 192 kHz and a bit depth of up to 24 to be directly supported. Circuitry associated with one of the stereo inputs provides sample rate conversion (SRC) capability, allowing a wide range of digital audio sources to be monitored. Up to 340 milliseconds of input delay can be selected to compensate for processing delays in an associated video path. For flexibility, two delay values can be configured, allowing real-time selection as desired. A number of different signals can serve as the Model 76D's digital audio timing reference. For synchronization with a master timing reference a dedicated source of word clock, DARS (AES11), bi-level video, or tri-level video can be connected. Alternately, the L/R connection of the actively selected surround or stereo input source can serve as the timing reference.

A range of surround (5.1) and stereo digital monitor outputs are provided. The post-fader surround and stereo monitor outputs are intended for connection to monitor loudspeaker systems. The pre-fader surround monitor output can be used with metreing systems that require signals that aren't impacted by level control or other monitoring functions. The stereo input C direct monitor output allows an installation to directly access the SRC capabilities.

For installation flexibility the monitor outputs can be configured for compatibility with equipment that requires balanced or unbalanced AES3 digital audio signals. When selected for balanced AES3 compatibility the output impedance is 110 ohms with a signal level of 5 volts peak-to-peak (Vpp). For unbalanced AES3 operation the impedance is 75 ohms and the level is 1 Vpp.

A sophisticated bass management function is integral to the Model 76D's design and can be enabled if desired. Note however that the bass management function is only supported at sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz. The overall goal of bass management is very simple: ensure that the entire audio bandwidth of all channels can be accurately monitored. Many loudspeaker systems have inherent low-frequency limitations, preventing a true picture of the source material from being presented. To overcome this, the low-frequency energy from the five surround and two stereo channels can be separated and then routed to the subwoofer loudspeaker. Several of the bass management functions can be configured to match the requirements of specific installations.

Great care was taken in designing the system's architecture, ensuring that the character of the audio input signals is preserved. All audio processing, including bass management, is performed in 32 bits using a high-speed field-programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated circuit.

The Model 76D occupies one space (1U) in a standard 19-inch rack. Digital audio sources are interfaced with the Model 76D using nine BNC connectors. A tenth BNC connector is used by the sync source. Digital monitor output signal connections are made using a 25-pin D-subminiature connector. One 9-pin D-subminiature connector is used to connect the Model 76D with up to four Model 77 or Model 71 Control Consoles. A second 9-pin "D-sub" connector is used to interface with remote control signals. AC mains power is connected directly to the Model 76D, with an acceptable range of 100 to 230 V, 50/60 Hz.

Warranty

We offer a 3 year warranty on this product from its date of purchase. For more information regarding our support, repair and warranty, please download our Warranty Guide here.

Trade Terms
The above item is non-returnable, unless defective. Please ensure part numbers and descriptions are as required before placing this order. If any confirmation or information is required please contact AV Sales on 1800 00 77 80.
Model 76D Central Controller
General Audio:
Supported Sample Rates: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz
Word Length: 24 bits maximum
Internal Processing: 32 bits
Input-to-Output Latency: two samples (e.g., 0.042 milliseconds @ 48 kHz sample rate)
Digital Audio Inputs: 5 (18 audio channels)
Configuration: two surround (5.1) and three stereo
Type: AES3 unbalanced (75 ohms/1 Vpp)
Connectors: BNC (per IEC 60169-8 Amendment 2
Sample Rate Conversion (SRC):
Application: available on Stereo Input C
Input Sample Rate Range: 8 to 216 kHz, limited
to 1/6 to 6 times the output sample rate
Latency: 1 millisecond, nominal
Sync Source: configured to follow L/R of currently selected input or signal connected to sync input
Sync Input:
Compatible Sources: word clock, DARS (AES11), bi-level video, tri-level video
Jitter: 4 ns pp maximum
Connector: BNC (per IEC 60169-8 Amendment 2)
Termination: 75 ohms, selectable on/off
Digital Monitor Outputs: 16 (eight pairs)
Configuration: organized as two surround (5.1) and two stereo
Dynamic Range: >135 dB
Type: AES3 balanced (110 ohms/5 Vpp) or unbalanced (75 ohms/1 Vpp), selectable
Connector: 25-pin female D-subminiature (DB-25F)
Configurable Input Delay: 0 to 340 milliseconds @ 48 kHz sample rate (scales up or down depending on actual sample rate)
Post-Fader Monitor Output Level Offsets: each surround and stereo channel independently adjustable in 0.5-dB steps over a ±12-dB range
Bass Management:
Supported Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz only
Crossover Frequency and Type: –6 dB @ 40, 50, 60, or 80 Hz, symmetrical for low-pass and high-pass filters, maximally flat
Filter Slope: 12 or 24 dB/octave
Overall Operation: independent on/off selectable for surround and stereo post-fader monitor outputs
Downmix:
Functions: surround to stereo, stereo to mono
Surround to Stereo:
   L @ 0 or –3 dB;
   R @ 0 or –3 dB;
   C @ –3 or –6 dB summed with L and R;
   LFE @ full attenuation or –6 dB summed with L and R;
   LS @ –3 or –6 dB summed with L;
   RS @ –3 or –6 dB summed with R;
   C, SUB, LS, and RS monitor outputs mute
Stereo to Mono:
   L @ –3 dB summed with R @ –3 dB to C;
   L, R, LS, RS, and SUB monitor outputs mute
   For a surround input this results in the C output being the sum of L @ –3 or –6 dB, R @ –3 or –6 dB; C @ –3 or –6 dB, LFE @ full attenuation or –6 dB; LS @ –6 or –9 dB, and RS @ –6 or –9 dB

Control Console Interface:
Type: RS-485, 115.2 kbit/s, 8-1-N
Polling Interval: 50 milliseconds
Power: 12 Vdc, 500 mA maximum
Connector: 9-pin female D-subminiature (DE-9F)
Remote Control Inputs: 2
Functions: remote mute all, remote dim
Type: 5 Vdc logic, activates on closure to system common
Connector: 9-pin female D-subminiature (DE-9F)
AC Mains:
Requirement: 100 to 230 V, 10/–15%, 50/60 Hz, 15 W maximum
Connector: 3-blade, IEC 320 C14-compatible (mates with IEC 320 C13)
Dimensions:
19.00 inches wide (48.3 cm)
1.72 inches high (4.4 cm)
7.00 inches deep (17.8 cm)
Mounting: one space (1U) in a standard 19-inch rack
Weight: 3.6 pounds (1.6 kg)

Model 77 Control Console
Application: up to four Model 77 Control Consoles can be connected to a Model 76D Central Controller
Power: 12 Vdc nominal (9 Vdc minimum), maximum current 100 mA, provided by Model 76D Central Controller
Control Data:
Type: RS-485
Data Rate/Format: 115.2 kbit/s, 8-N-1
Connector: 9-pin female D-subminiature (DE-9F)
Dimensions (Overall):
7.20 inches wide (18.3 cm)
2.20 inches high (5.6 cm)
5.40 inches deep (13.7 cm)
Weight: 1.7 pounds (0.8 kg)

Model 71 Control Console
Application: up to three Model 71 Control Consoles can be connected to a Model 76D Central Controller
Power: 12 Vdc nominal (9 Vdc minimum), maximum current 35 mA, provided by Model 76D Central Controller
Control Data:
Type: RS-485
Data Rate/Format: 115.2 kbit/s, 8-N-1
Connector: 9-pin female D-subminiature (DE-9F)
Dimensions (Overall):
3.20 inches wide (8.1 cm)
2.20 inches high (5.6 cm)
4.10 inches deep (10.4 cm)
Weight: 0.8 pounds (0.4 kg)

Specifications subject to change without notice.
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